George W. Newton

DURHAM – George W. Newton, founder of Newton Instrument Co. and an original board member of Durham Technical Community College, died after a short illness on April 17, 2015. He was 95.

George imbued all he touched with compassion, integrity and Southern grace and reserve as he used his diploma in vocational education from Durham High School (Class ’39) to build a business that worked in Durham’s economic bedrock of tobacco, hosiery, medicine and high tech. He was the father of five and a devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

He was born in Oxford, N.C., Feb. 22, 1920, to Walter Caswell and Nannie Jones Newton. The family moved to Durham when he was four years old. After graduating from Durham High School, he worked at Broadwell’s Machine Shop until he was hired as an apprentice instrument maker at the Physics Department shop at Duke University. In 1947 he became supervisor of maintenance at Durham Hosiery Mills.

George opened Newton Instrument Co. in 1949 to manufacture surgical devices. Precision medical instruments were soon replaced by work with tobacco and hosiery companies where his knack for design speeded up production. From the late 1960s on, Newton Instrument Co. designed and manufactured framing equipment for the telecommunications industry. George retired in 1986 and sold the business to two of his sons, Wallace and Walter. In retirement he spent many hours in his woodworking shop where his efforts were given to friends.

Mindful and proud of the sound technical education he received at Durham High School, George was a founding member in 1963 of what became Durham Technical Community College where he served on the board 26 years, nine years as chairman. He has established several scholarship funds at Durham Tech where the George W. Newton Industrial and Engineering Technologies Center carries his name. He has also contributed to Greensboro College, the alma mater of his late wife Mary Hall. His gift of land to the Triangle Community Foundation later became the Little River Regional Park and Natural Area north of Durham.

He was equally mindful of Trinity United Methodist Church, which more than once provided his family with Christmas when he was a child and where he found mentors to help pursue his dreams. In addition to committee work at Trinity, George was involved in the United Methodist Retirement Homes.

For his civic contributions he received the Civic Honor Award from the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. The National Exchange Club awarded him its Book of Golden Deeds.

He and his wife, Mary McLean Newton, whom he married in 1993 three years after the death of Mary Hall Newton, have contributed to Watts School of Nursing.

He was preceded in death by his three siblings, Deborah Newton Satterfield Messer, Walter Bryan Newton and Ivey Jones Newton. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Mary McLean Newton: 5 children by Mary Hall Newton: Wallace Newton and his wife Becky, David, John and his wife, Mary, all of Durham, Walter and his wife, Dennie, of Bahama, and Sarah Feldman and her husband, Bob, of Charlotte; 2 stepchildren by his marriage to Mary McLean Newton: Marilyn Yates and her husband, Rick, of Deland, Fla., and Ivey Newton of Durham; 4 grandchildren: Lisa Granger and her husband Greg of Williamsburg, Va., Will Newton and his wife, Ayako, of Raleigh, Sarah M. Newton of Raleigh and David W. Newton of Ann Arbor, Mich., 5 great-grandchildren: Gabrielle, Graham and Grace Granger of Williamsburg, Va., and Saya and Mei Newton of Raleigh.

The George Newton family thanks the staff at The Pavilion at Croasdaile Village for its loving and attentive care during George’s illness.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 20, from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm at Hall Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 West Main St., Durham NC 27701, and at other times at the home of Walter and Dennie Newton in Bahama, NC. The Service of Death and Resurrection will be at 3:00 pm Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 215 North Church Street, Durham, NC 27701, with the Rev. Taylor Mills officiating. Interment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery.

Condolence Messages

Best regards to all the family of George Newton. George was an exemplary model of character, citizenship, achievement, generosity, and family. I cannot imagine someone who has touched more lives and inspired more individuals. And, he did it with humility, graciousness, and good manners. You always wanted to do your best for him, and, if you didn’t, he was very forgiving. He believed in fair play, and a level playing field for everyone. The world would be a better place if there were more George Newton’s, but I can’t imagine that I’ll meet another like him.

George Newton was one of the gentlest and most generous men I have ever had the pleasure to know. He helped me out in a time of dire need, and I’ve always thought it gave him pleasure to be able to do so. He was a remarkable man who had a remarkable run, a man I will never forget. My thoughts are with all members of the Newton family.

I can’t remember a time in my life without the presence and influence of George Newton. Whether it was as a member of Boy Scout Troop 492 at Trinity United Methodist Church or a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, his generosity and guidance were always available and appreciated. He had such an incredible faith in his God, his family and his community. As a client, he always amazed me with his attention to detail when I worked with him on the construction of his new home north of Durham years ago. He was a great friend to my parents, my brother and me. He is missed.

My daughters, Lyle, Patricia, and Elizabeth Bass knew George as they were growing up at Trinity. His first lovely Mary was their Sunday School teacher. What fond memories for all of us. My husband, Mark O’Neal and I always have held George in the highest esteem. What a wonderful Southern gentleman!

George Newton was a tremendously generous and unselfish donor to the arts in the area. His leadership gifts to Raleigh Dance Theatre (among others) have enabled many young people to benefit from quality training and education – regardless of their eventual career choice. It also exposed many others to the arts through Outreach events, who might not have had that opportunity, were it not for him. I wish I had met him more often, but the few times I talked with him, you knew he was a great man. He said simply that it was his privilege to give back to the community.

My love, my heart, and prayers pour out to all the Newton family, right now. May God continue to give you strength. Most of all, trust Gods Love, and hold on to each other; and live by the examples and legacy of your father.

As an employee of Newton Instrument Company for the past 27 years, it was my honor and privilege to have been introduced to George Newton. Even though he was retired prior to the beginning of my employment in 1987, his frequent visits to Butner allowed employees to be greeted by him. My summation of the years of observing Mr. George’s character, his actions, his gentle-natured demeanor: he was someone you would always include in your prayers — knowing that as he prospered — whether financially, intellectually, or spiritually, he would surely share the blessings with others. Indeed, I thank God at every remembrance of him. May the family be comforted in the joy of his long, beautiful life.

Walter and Dennie I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My Dad thought the world of him and enjoyed working at Newton. My thoughts are with you both at this very sad time. If I can help in any way just get in touch. Would have come to see you if I had found out in time. So sorry I missed the service. Your father had such a full life and did so much good for Durham and others he will be missed by many.